Urbanites harmonise against garbage in Douala

In some major arteries of Douala, garbage are found littered in the streets, sometimes on the ground. Municipal authorities explain it by the lack of bins and the incivility of the traders. "The problem of garbage is evoked not only for our markets but also for most of our major thoroughfares. The problem is alarming.

There are many garbage bins, but they are distant from some residents. A question therefore has been posed on the use of the bins. In the past, we gave instructions so that each person has a trash can. It did not really work. Some had buckets, others the demi-futs,"said the delegate of the Government with the Douala urban Community.

On the side of the Hysacam Company, in charge of garbage collection, the awareness among users continues, to better arrange the pickup. However, as discussed at a consultation on urban disorder, Hysacam leaders are pessimistic because of the disorder which reigns and tarnishes work already done, including along certain axes where "no trader uses the trash can. The cartons and other packaging are deposited on the ground. Also, for Hysacam, the local authorities should recommend traders to have a trash can.

On this point, the authorities called for harmonization on the part of hoppers, and requested that the acquisition should even be subsidized. A model of 100 to 120 litre bin has been identified and a society for the manufacture has been spotted out, according to some sources.

However the model must first be approved. "We are going in for a subsidy for the acquisition of these bins to make it accessible to everyone. As the embellishment of the city also interests us. For streets where there is no garbage containers, we are trying to sensitize the populations distributing schedules of passage of Hysacam trucks", said Fritz Ntonè Ntonè.